DtDtKty

Good luck Xstar!!! This is a great place to start your journey...a lot of support and great information. Best wishes to you.

Well at least there Step one was taken. Hugs to you girlfriend. I am so sorry about your ongoing saga. Doesn't it seem like nothing is ever easy!!!! Not only do you have to deal with the lack of a port but then you have to deal with CA and a crazy schedule. That is really cool that he is willing to see you on the 4th though...exciting!...and you'll get to see Penni too...very cool. Best of luck to you. I'm thinking about you. If it were up to me, I would start a DeLarla's New Port Fundraiser but that probably wouldn't go over too well. Hugs.

Great news Michelle!!! I am so happy that everything went well and all "the parts" are in good working order. I just had my first fill and only had to do one day of liquids...boo hoo on three days. Hang in there. I did find something interesting to drink though. It is a recipe by Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick for "sustainable energy" when you are on liquids. I omitted the cayenne pepper. Here is the recipe from www.gastricbands.com by Dr. Kelly. It sounds strange but the lemon and ginger are really tangy and tasty. Master Cleanse Drink (adjust lemon, ginger and cayenne to taste) 4 oz of apple juice Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger 4-8 TBls of Lemon juice 4Tbls of Maple Syrup or Honey Pinch of salt top off the blender with filtered water Blend till mixed Strain and drink ½ - 1 Quart a day

Kathy...I found Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick in Portland. She is a Naturopathic doctor. She does not use fluoro but does have access to it and can order it. Her website is www.gastricbands.com Best of luck to you.

Penni- Thank you so much for posting this information. Thank God she is doing better. I am thinking of her and praying for her and her family. My mother-in-law became pretty close to Diane when she (mil) was going through the process of getting the band in November of 2004. Diane even went down to watch her surgery per my mother-in-law's request. When my mil tried to call Diane's house yesterday, I believe, a woman answered stating (to paraphrase) that "Diane was visiting her grandchildren and was fine" and "just because something is on the internet doesn't mean it's true". I assume she was referring to the original posts of this thread. I can only think that this person was trying to protect Diane's privacy. I am very glad to know the real story. Although many people enjoyed their Mexico experience, I was not one of them. I was acutely aware that I was not in the US and could see the lesser standards, in my opinion. I had already decided to not return to Mexico for aftercare and had talked to MIL about the same. This is just my opinion. I am not trying to manipulate anyone. It's just my 2 cents. I wish everyone the best experience possible in the place that is the best for them.

Her website is www.gastricbands.com I don't know how much flouro is. She refers you to somewhere else for that. She did say that she recommends it every 6 months to a year to check out the status of the band, port, and tubing. Donali...Wow!!! I guess I did do a little better than you did. That is wild. Hopefully next time I won't get so wigged out. I think just knowing that the needle was sticking out and feeling her skid over my port was just too much. I know I definitely won't be going there alone anytime soon.

Congratulations on being banded Keri!!!! It sounds like you are off to an amazing start. I can't believe you walked around the block. Are you Super Woman disguised as a bandster? LOL Take care of yourself. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Congratulations on being banded!!!! You sound like you are doing quite well. I agree with DeLarla...I had a miserable day after. I woke up feeling like I was half dead and I almost passed out when I got up to go to the bathroom. So, the fact that you are posting and coherent is a very good thing. Best wishes for a speedy recovery as you start your new journey.

Congratulations on being banded Nita!!! It's rough at first but it will get better before you know it. Heck, at least you are home and walking...I was still in the hospital and could barely move the next day. It sounds like you are well on the road to to a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself, relax, walk, and use those heating pads.

Welcome Kim!!!! So glad you found us. Congratulations on being banded. Yes, the gas pains will go away. Just try to walk and move around as much as possible. Best of luck to you as you start your new life. It's a blast.

Yippee Starbright!!!! I am so excited for you. PUSH. SHOVE. You can do this. I know it's scary but a lot of the best things in life are. Your life will improve in more ways that you can even imagine. Keep verbalizing your thoughts and feelings and come here for support and information. I agree with Kathy...I couldn't be doing this without LBT either. Best of luck to you.

What a wimp I am!!!...and I'm an RN too!!! I guess it just goes to show you that just because you can do procedures to other people doesn't mean you are ok when they are done on you. I went to Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick in Portland. She was so nice and kind. She made me feel very comfortable. She found my port easily by palpation and had me stand up for the fill. I was doing ok at first, but then I started getting really hot and sweaty. Dr. Kelly and husband said I got really pale and lost all color. She had me sit down and then lie down when things started to get spacey and I felt like I was going to pass out. She had my husband wet a cloth for my head. After a few minutes, when I had started to recover, we went through the whole drinking Water thing. It was difficult to know what I was feeling exactly, but I think I'm ok. I was having a sensation in my throat like I have to burp as I was leaving, but she said it should go away. If not, I am supposed to come back tomorrow. I feel a little sore but I'm sure that is normal. I am supposed to be on thin fluids for 24 hours, then soft foods for 24 hours, and then regular food. I am sipping some decaf tea right now. So, that's my first fill. I hope I'm not too tight, but I guess tomorrow will tell. I got 1.4 cc. Despite the excitement, I really liked Dr. Kelly and am excited to have her follow the rest of my medical care as well.

I am excited for the challenge to start. I think it will help give me the accountability I need. woohoo!!!

Welcome Pansy! I had some similar thoughts and feelings as you did. I was ready to have a baby at 290 lbs. because I convinced myself that I was healthy and I would just be at that weight forever. The daily reflux and knee pain changed my mind. Now I am on the road to be healthy and you will be too. Welcome to LBT. This is a great place for support and information. Best of luck to you.

Christina....when do you start mushies? I am anxiously awaiting your first meal.

Penni....I am so happy that there now seems to be a renewed life and sense of hope in your relationship. That is so wonderful. I truly believe in the power of counseling and of having an impartial, objective third party to help you through things. My husband and I have had rocky times more than once in our 2 1/2 year marriage, but we love each other too much to throw it away. I wish you and John all the best.

Never fails that they are out of town when you need them....their nerve . I hope that today is even better than yesterday. Hang in there.

Vera....we sound like twins even though I am a Pieces.

My screen name is DTDTKTY which stands for DooT DooT KittY. It is a nickname that my husband gave to me. Nothing too exciting. Just a little silly name.

Doll...I hear you girlfriend. I am so good and sensible all day until late afternoon/early evening hits. Then I turn into a fat free cool whip with Peanut Butter eating, half gallon of full fat ice cream holding, chip munching, scrounging around the kitchen...flippin manic...at least on and off for the past two weeks. I am so glad that I am getting a fill tomorrow. I think that your increased metabolism may indeed be contributing. What about trying to eat lunch as your biggest meal of the day? Could that work for you? If you load up on Protein then, perhaps it could help carry you into the evening. I think my reason is Jack's food demon and old habits of trying to feed my emotions instead of deal with them. I must remember...emotions do not need ice cream...LOL. Hang in there.

I agree about the protein. Also, do you take any vitamins? You are probably lacking in several areas nutritionally. Invest in a good protein shake that you like, if that's your style, and get a good vitamin. That should help you to feel more energetic. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with finals....I don't envy you there. Been there, done that, never again...hehe. Also, good luck with the doctor's appt. today. It sounds like you are doing all of the necessary things on the journey to banding. Best of luck to you.

I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult it was to come home and find him. You gave him a great life though and it sounds like you brought each other much happiness. My thoughts are with you.

Good for you Terri. I am glad that you are starting to feel better. Keep up the walking. Congrats on the downward movement of your scale.

Christina....too funny. You should get together with Road Queen. She was considering sampling her dog's Alpo (thread in food forum). Hang in there. I know it's tough. You can do it though. Best wishes to you.